March 21, 2011: The Halton District School Board is once again encouraging its schools to join communities around the world in support of Earth Hour 2011 on Saturday, March 26, 2011 from 8:30–9:30 p.m., to show it is possible to take positive action on climate change.

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF), along with support from the Ontario Ministry of Education, has invited all schools and school boards to participate in Earth Hour when people will turn off their lights for one hour.

Schools in the Halton District School Board will set an example for their communities and participate in Earth Hour activities on Friday, March 25, 2011 by taking the following steps:

●  Registering their participation at http://wwf.ca/earthhour/ and committing to turning off all non-essential interior and exterior lights before going home on Friday night
●  Celebrating Earth Hour in schools, teaching students about the environment and using the environment to teach other subjects
● Turning off as many electric devices as possible during the final hour of school   
● Encouraging involvement at home by setting up a tally chart indicating family participation

Earth Hour is a global WWF climate change initiative. It began in Sydney, Australia in 2007 and has grown to become what is cited as the largest voluntary action in history, reaching more than one billion people worldwide.

Participation in Earth Hour supports the Halton District School Board’s continued commitment to implement and sustain environmental education and eco-friendly practices in schools.


For additional information, contact:
      Suzanne Burwell, Environmental Sustainability Coordinator  
      Halton District School Board 
      (905) 335-3663, Toll free: 1 877 618-3456